Michael V. GearyAmericanHort’s president and chief executive, Michael V. Geary, has resigned, the organization’s board of directors announced Wednesday. Geary is leaving to become CEO of the Society for Marketing Professional Services, a Washington organization dedicated to creating business opportunities in the architecture, engineering and construction industries.
Geary will remain on the AmericanHort staff through Sept. 30 to assist in the transition process, according to the board’s announcement.
On Oct. 1, AmericanHort’s senior vice president and CFO, David Savoia, will become interim president and CEO and Craig Regelbrugge, the senior vice president for advocacy and research, will assist Savoia in handling the association’s external affairs.
“We are thankful for Michael’s leadership for over five years, as the association has undergone a successful transformation,” said Dale Deppe, chairman of the board of AmericanHort. “We wish him the best in the next phase of his career.
“AmericanHort will continue its strategic focus on helping our members grow their businesses, and promoting the value of our industry’s products and services,” Deppe said.
During his tenure, Geary served as the staff executive for AmericanHort, America in Bloom, the former American Nursery & Landscape Association, the Horticultural Research Institute, the Nursery & Landscape Association Executives, the former OFA – The Association of Horticulture Professionals, and the Ohio Produce Growers & Marketers Association. He led the consolidation of ANLA and OFA, the merger with the Plantscape Institute of America, directed the expansion of the Cultivate convention and exposition and oversaw the development of the “Grow Wise. Bee Smart” and “Shift” initiatives.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve AmericanHort during a critical period for the organization and for the industry,” Geary said. “I am extremely proud of our accomplishments as we transformed the industry’s organizations and initiated new strategies to serve the North American industry.”
AmericanHort’s news release said a search committee is being formed to find Geary’s replacement.
